CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL!

On Friday 23rd May, the grounds of St Thomas More’s came alive with the sound of cheering, the squelch of muddy shoes, and the sight of determined young runners giving their absolute all in our annual Cross Country Carnival!

This much-loved event continues to be a highlight of our school calendar – not only as a chance for students to challenge themselves physically and mentally, but also to fly the flag for their House with pride. The sense of community was palpable, with so many families coming out to cheer, clap and encourage every runner along the way.

The Cross Country Carnival is about more than just running – it’s about building resilience, celebrating effort, nurturing fitness, and strengthening our vibrant school culture. I had the privilege (and the lactic acid) of running alongside both our Grade 6 Girls and Grade 6 Boys – and let me tell you, they set quite the pace!

The results of the carnival are:

A massive congratulations to all students for their spirit and grit! And well done to MACKILLOP for taking out the Cross Country Cup!

Huge thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers for helping bring the day together, to Mr Rik Bryan for all his behind-the-scenes magic, and to Mr Nick Stacey for his stellar leadership and seamless organisation of the event.

WORLD'S GREATEST SHAVE!

One of our School Captains, Dustin Graham, is stepping up — and shaving down — to make a difference! As part of the World’s Greatest Shave, Dustin has committed to shaving his head to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation, supporting Australians living with blood cancer.

The big event will take place at school on the last day of Term 2 — Friday 4th July — in our Kitchen Garden Area, surrounded by his friends, family, and a very proud school community. And yes — he’s doing it live and in living colour!

Dustin has already surpassed his fundraising goal of $1,000 — an incredible achievement — but in true St Thomas More’s spirit, let’s rally behind him and see how much further we can go to support this life-changing cause.

Donate here:

https://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/fundraisers/dustingraham/2025

Dustin — you’re a legend. Thank you for showing what courage, leadership, and compassion look like in action!

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME

On Wednesday 21st May, the STM community once again gathered for one of the most joyful literacy events on the calendar—National Simultaneous Storytime! At exactly 12:00pm, students from Kinder to Grade 6 joined thousands of other children across the country in reading this year’s delightful picture book, The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.

This annual event is a celebration of the joy of reading, and a powerful reminder of how stories can bring people together. As we cuddled into classrooms and the library, laughter and curiosity filled the air as students connected with the tale of a cat, a truck, and the adventures of unexpected friendship and finding home.

National Simultaneous Storytime isn’t just about reading—it’s about building a culture of literacy, shared experience, and storytelling at STM. The smiles, questions and excitement that followed the reading are testament to the magic that picture books still hold, no matter your age!

Thank you very much to our Teacher-Librarian, Ms Rebecca Thomas, for her support and promotion of this wonderful initiative! And thank you to all the teachers for creating such welcoming reading spaces, and to every student for bringing their love of stories to life.

GRADE 1/2 CLARENDON HOUSE EXCURSION

On Monday 19th May, our Grade 1/2 students travelled to the majestic Clarendon House in Nile—a beautifully preserved Georgian estate that offered a magical step back in time. Surrounded by heritage buildings, blooming gardens and riverbank views, students had the opportunity to explore what family life looked like nearly 200 years ago.

This experience was the perfect complement to their HASS learning this term, where they’ve been investigating how families, roles, and homes have changed across generations. With the guidance of Clarendon’s wonderful staff, students were taken through the stately mansion and its outbuildings, uncovering the routines, roles, and challenges of family life in the 1830s.

Children marvelled at the idea of servants’ quarters, open fireplaces, and a world with no screens or electricity! These hands-on experiences helped them compare the past with the present in a rich, authentic way—sparking thoughtful conversations about how families live, work, and grow together across time.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our fabulous Grade 1/2 teaching team for designing such a purposeful and memorable learning opportunity. Your creativity, care, and organisation brought history to life. And of course, sincere thanks to the parent volunteers who gave up their time to support the day—your presence and generosity made all the difference!

This week, something pretty special happened at our school. The students in Grades 3 to 6 were treated to a visit from Marty — and it wasn’t just the magic tricks that wowed us.

Marty brought a powerful message about Making Jesus Real (MJR), and a new focus for the day: MAD – Making a Difference. His visit was full of fun and laughter, but also packed with thoughtful lessons that really made us stop and think.

The Grade 3/4 students had a fantastic time, joining in with the magic, games and conversations about kindness, using manners, and looking after one another. Marty helped them see how small actions — like smiling at someone, saying “hello” using their name, or helping out without being asked — can actually make a big difference.

In Grade 5/6, the students really connected with Marty’s message. Dougie said one of the main things he remembered was learning to say “OK – with a smile” when asked to help out — no eye-rolling, no grumbling. Just a simple way to change the vibe in a home or classroom.

Mikah and Jess from 5/6 Saint reflected, “We really enjoyed his magic tricks, but also the lessons he taught us — like how using people’s names when you greet them makes them feel seen, and how we all have feelings that deserve to be respected.” They also said, “We learned the value of being resilient and never giving up,” — a theme that came up again when Marty shared the inspiring story of Turia Pitt.

Poppy shared, “I think it was really cool that she kept going, and that she can still run, despite all she has gone through.” Her story gave students a real example of courage and determination — someone who didn’t let hardship stop her from reaching her goals.

Annika said she enjoyed the mind map of all the things we need to do more, like being helpful, showing kindness, and using our manners. Lincoln reminded us what the “R” in MJR really stands for — “Real” — to be honest, true to ourselves, and to live with purpose, just like Jesus did.

Of course, the magic wasn’t just in the message. Lucy G said, “I enjoyed Marty’s jokes and magic tricks,” and Harry loved playing a card version of “Among Us” with his classmates, where they had to be patient and work as a team.

By the end of the day, there was a real buzz in the air. Students were smiling, talking about what they’d learned, and already thinking about how they could make a difference — at home, at school, and in their friendships.

Marty reminded us that manners, kindness, and being present in the moment are all ways to live like Jesus — and that every day is a new chance to be “MAD” in the best possible way.

So if you hear your child say “OK – with a smile”, or talk about Making a Difference, ask them about their time with Marty. We think you’ll be just as inspired as we were.\

May the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.